Sewing machine presser foot having an adjustable shank



June 20, 1967 R. J. BOSER 3,326,159

SEWING MACHINE PRESSER FOOT HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE SHANK Filed March 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ronald 5050* June 20, 17 R. J. BOSER 3,325,159

SEWING MACHINE PRESSER FOOT HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE SHANK Filed March 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Rona/a J. Boser United States Patent f Filed Mar. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 443,482 8 Claims. (Cl. 112-235) This invention relates to the art of sewing machine attachments, and more particularly concerns a presser foot assembly with an adjustable shank for holding the presser foot.

One conventional type of presser foot used in sewing machines is pivotally mounted upon a shank which is attachable to a presser foot bar or rod. The presser foot has a fixed length with a hole for receiving the reciproeating needle which is spaced a certain distance laterally from the presser foot bar. It has been found that a conventional type presser foot cannot be interchangeably used in another sewing machine if the needle is located a different distance from the presser foot bar. Instead a presser foot dimensioned to fit each particular size machine must be provided. When many sewing machines are in use as in a garment factory, the necessity to stock a variety of presser feet to accommodate all the different sizes of sewing machines is very burdensome and objectionable. If a particular size presser foot is not available, a sewing machine requiring the presser foot cannot be used. Furthermore, dealers are required to carry large inventories of presser feet in order to fit all currently used machines. Many of the presser feet held in inventory are unusable because they can fit only certain machines which have become obsolete. The cost, time and trouble involved in maintaining a complete stock of presser feet at all times are objectionable.

It is an object of the invention to solve this situation, by providing a universal presser foot assembly having a shank of adjustable length so that the presser foot can be fitted to any sewing machine regardless of the precise distance between the needle and presser foot bar.

A further object is to provide a presser foot assembly having a hinged presser foot pivotably attached to a twopart shank, the two parts of the shank being slida=bly adjustable with respect to each other for lengthening and shortening the shank at will.

Another object is to provide a presser foot assembly wherein the presser foot is quickly detachable for replacement by other types of presser feet.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a presser foot assembly embodying the invention, shown with an associated presser foot support bar, needle and needle support bar.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale of the parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a presser foot holder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another presser foot assembly.

Referring to FIGS. l5, there is shown a presser foot assembly 10 including presser foot 12. This foot has a 3,326,159 Patented June 20, 1967 ice generally rectangular base or body plate 14 with an upturned toe 15 at its front end. In the plate 14 is an aperture 16. If the presser foot is intended for use in a zigzag sewing machine, aperture 16 may be an elongated slot extending transversely of the plate 14 between opposite edges thereof for receiving axially vertical sewing needle 18. Needle 18 is held by collar 19 and screw 21 on needle support bar 23. A pair of upstanding rectangular ears 20 are provided at opposite lateral edges of plate 14. The ears have aligned holes 22 for receiving ends of axially horizontal hinge pin 24.

The assembly 10' further includes a presser foot holder 25 which has a vertical plate 26 provided with a hole 28 through which screw 30 extends for locking the presser foot holder to vertical presser foot support bar 32. Flange 31 on bar 32 receives recess 29 at the top end of plate 26. Threaded hole 33 in bar 32 receives the threaded end of screw 30. Foot holder 25 has a curved or bowed shank section 35 extending forwardly and terminating in a shank plate 36. Shank plate 36 is rectangular and has a centrally located slot 40 extending in a fore-and-aft direction. This plate receives a threaded screw 42. The threaded shaft 43 of the screw engages in a threaded hol 41 in a supplementary shank plate 44.

Plate 44 has a transverse groove 45 formed in its upper side which receives the underside of horizontal pin 24. Shank plate 44 fits pivotally between cars 20 and is abutted to the underside of both pin 24 and the underside of shank plate 36. by the tightening screw 42 in hole 41. Head 47 bears on plate 46. Cylindrical enlargement 49 fits in slot 40. The foot 12 can be adjusted horizontally in forward and rearward directions as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3, between solid and dotted line positions by loosening screw 42. The screw has intermediate enlarged section 49 fitting slidably in slot 40. After foot 12 is adjusted to locate the center of aperture 16 under the axis of needle 18, depending on the distance D between the needle 18 and plate 26, screw 42 will be tightened to lock the presser foot in position to the shank of the holder 25. The foot 12 will be pivotable slightly in a vertical plane on the horizontal hinge pin 24, as indicated by arrow P in FIG. 3

The underside of shank plate 36 can be provided with a wide recess 39 whose opposite front and rear edges 39', 39 engage the pin 24 at its most forward and rearward positions respectively when the foot 12 is moved forwardly or rearwardly. Recess 39 cooperates with the elongated slot 40 which engages the enlargement 49 of screw shaft 43 at the most forward and rearward positions respectively of the foot 12.

FIG. 6 shows another presser foot assembly 10a in which parts corresponding to those of assembly 10 are identically numbered. In assembly 10a, the holder 25 has the same two part shank including relatively adjustable shank plates 36 and 44. Screw 42' may have a slot 46' in the head thereof in place of the wrench receiving recess 46 of screw 42. Presser foot 12a has three long turned up toes 51-53 parallel to each other in fore-andaft direction and spaced apart laterally to define two long slots 16a, 16b which will receive needle 18 in each of two lateral positions, or may receive two needles 18a, 18b if the pressure foot is used in a dual-needle machine. Needles 18a, 18b are held by collar 19 and screws 21', 21" on needle support bar 23'. The foot 12a can be substituted in the assembly 10 in place of foot 12 with its flat rectangular base plate 14 and transverse slot 16, and can be used with single zig-zag needle 18.

It will be apparent that the presser foot assemblies illustrated can replace a large number of similar presser foot assemblies having feet integral and rigid with the shanks of the foot holders. Regardless of the precise lateral distance between the presser foot holder bar 32 and 3 the needle 18 or needles 18a, 18b, the presser foot 12 or 124 can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly to center the needles exactly at the center of hole 16 or slots 16a, 16b.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of -my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine having a vertical presser foot holder support bar and a vertical needle support bar, both bars being spaced laterally apart a certain distance, comprising a presser foot holder, said holder having a vertical plate attachable to said holder support bar, a curved shank section integral with and extending forwardly from and downwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a fore-and-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein and a transversely extending groove in its upper side, a screw having a head bearing on top of the first shank plate and a threaded shaft extending through said slot and seated in said hole in the second shank plate to hold the two shank plates together, a presser foot having an apertured plate portion for receiving said needle, apertured ears upstanding from opposite edges of said plate portion, a horizonal pin having opposite ends engaged in said apertured ears with a central portion of said pin engaged between the shank plates in said groove, whereby the presser foot is pivotally supported by said foot holder and whereby the presser foot is adjustably positionable in foreand-aft directions with respect to said vertical plate by loosening said screw to slide the foot and second shank plate horizontally with respect to the first shank plate while the shaft of the screw remains engaged in said slot in the first shank plate.

2. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine having a vertical presser foot holder support bar and a vertical needle support bar, both bars being spaced laterally apart a certain distance, comprising a presser foot holder, said holder having a vertical plate attachable to said holder support bar, a curved shank section integral with and extending forwardly from and downwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a fore-and-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein and a transversely extending groove in its upper side, a screw having a head bearing on top of the first shank plate and a threaded shaft extending through said slot and seated in said hole in the second shank plate to hold the two shank plates together, a presser foot having an apertured plate portion for receiving said needle, apertured ears upstanding from opposite edges of said plate portion, a horizonal pin having opposite ends engaged in said apertured ears with a central portion of said pin engaged between the shank plates in said groove, whereby the presser foot is pivotally supported by said foot holder and whereby the presser foot is adjustably positionable in foreand-aft directions with respect to said vertical plate by loosening said screw to slide the foot and second shank plate horizontally with respect to the first shank plate while the shaft of the screw remains engaged in said slot in the first shank plate, said first shank plate having a wide recess in its underside receiving an upper portion of said pin, so that said pin moves in a fore-and-aft direction in said recess while remaining engaged in said groove when the presser foot and second shank plate are being positioned horizontally with respect to the first shank plate.

3. A presser foot holder for a hinged presser foot, comprising a vertical plate attachable to a foot holder support bar in a sewing machine, a curved shank section integralwith and extending downwardly and forwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a foreand-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein receiving a threaded shaft of a headed screw while the head of the screw bears on the first shank plate with the second plate underlaying and abutting the first shank plate, said second shank plate having a transverse groove in its upper side for receiving a bottom portion of a cross pin of pivotable presser foot, said first shank plate having a recess in its underside for receiving an upper portion of said pin, whereby the second shank plate is adjustable in horizontal fore-and-aft position with respect to the first shank plate when said screw is loosened and moves in said slot while said pin remains engaged in said groove and slides horizontally in said recess.

4. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine, comprising a presser foot holder including a vertical plate attachable to a presser foot holder support bar in said machine, a curved shank section integral with and extending downwardly and forwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a foreand-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein receiving a threaded shaft of a headed screw while the head of the screw bears on the first shank plate with the second plate underlaying and abutting the first shank plate, said second shank plate having a transverse groove in its upper side for receiving a bottom portion of an axially horizontal cross pin, said first plate having a recess in its underside for receiving an upper portion of said pin, and a presser foot including ears engageable with opposite ends of said pin for pivotally supporting said foot on the presser foot holder, whereby the second shank plate and presser foot are adjustable in horizontal fore-and-aft direction with respect to the first shank plate when said screw is loosened and moves in said slot, while said pin remains engaged in said groove and slides horizontally in said recess.

5. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine, comprising a presser foot holder including a vertical plate attachable to a presser foot holder support bar in said machine, a curved shank section integral with and extending downwardly and forwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a fore-and-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein receiving a threaded shaft of a headed screw while the head of the screw bears on the first shank plate with the second plate underlaying and abutting the first shank plate, said second shank plate having a transverse groove in its upper side for receiving a bottom portion of an axially horizontal cross pin, said first plate having a recess in its underside for receiving an upper portion of said pin, and a presser foot including ears engageable with opposite ends of said pin for pivotally supporting said foot on the presser foot holder, whereby the second shank plate and presser foot are adjustable in horizontal fore-and-aft direction with respect to the first shank plate when said screw is loosened and moves in said slot, while said pin remains engaged in said groove and slides horizontally in said recess, said presser foot having a single upturned toe at its forward end and a transversely extending elongated hole for receiving a laterally movable zig-zag needle.

6. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine, comprising a presser foot holder including a vertical plate attachable to a presser foot holder support bar in said machine, a curved shank section integral with and extending downwardly and forwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a transverse groove in its upper side for reand-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein receiving a threaded shaft of a headed screw while the head of the screw bears on the first shank plate with the second plate underlaying and abutting the first shank plate, said second shank plate having a transverse groove in its upper side for receiving a bottom portion of an axially horizontal cross pin, said first plate having a recess in its underside for receiving an upper portion of said pin, and a presser foot including ears engageable with opposite ends of said pin for pivotally supporting said foot on the presser foot holder, whereby the second shank plate and presser foot are adjustable in horizontal fore-and-aft direction with respect to the first shank plate when said screw is loosened and moves in said slot, while said pin remains engaged in said groove and slides horizontally in said recess, said presser foot having a plurality of upturned toes spaced laterally apart by elongated forwardly and rearwardly extending slots defining two needle receiving positions.

7. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine having a vertical presser foot holder support bar and a vertical needle support bar, both bars being spaced laterally apart a certain distance, comprising a presser foot holder,

said holder having a vertical plate attachable to said holder support bar, a curved shank section integral with and extending forwardly from and downwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a fore-and-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein and transversely extending groove in its upper side, a screw having a head bearing on top of the first shank plate and a threaded shaft extending through said slot and seated in said hole in the second shank plate to hold the two shank plates together, a presser foot having an apertured plate portion for receiving said needle, apert-ured ears upstanding from opposite edges of said plate portion, a horizontal pin having opposite ends engaged in said apertured ears with a central portion of said pin engaged between the shank plates in said groove, whereby the presser foot is pivotally supported by said foot holder and whereby the presser foot is adjustably positionable in fore-and-aft directions with respect to said vertical plate by loosening said screw to slide the foot and second shank plate horizontally with respect to the first shank plate while the shaft of the screw remains engaged in said slot in the first shank plate, said apertured plate portion having a single wide turned up toe at its forward end, with an elongated transversely extending slot in said plate portion of receiving said needle in tWo laterally positions thereof.

8. A presser foot assembly for a sewing machine having a vertical presser foot holder support bar and a vertical needle support bar, both bars being spaced laterally apart a certain distance, comprising a presser foot holder, said holder having a vertical plate attachable to said holder support bar, a curved shank section integral with and extending forwardly from and downwardly from said vertical plate, a first horizontal shank plate integral with and extending forwardly from said curved shank section, said shank plate having a centrally located slot disposed in a fore-and-aft extending position, a second horizontal shank plate having a threaded hole therein and a transversely extending groove in its upper side, a screw having a head bearing on top of the first shank plate-and a threaded shaft extending through said slot and seated in said hole in the second shank plate to hold the two shank plates together, a presser foot having an apertured plate portion for receiving said needle, apertured ears upstanding from opposite edges of said plate portion, a horizontal pin having opposite ends engaged in said apertured ears with a central portion of said pin engaged between the shank plates in said groove, whereby the presser foot is pivotally supported by said foot holder and whereby the presser foot is adjustably positionable in fore-andaft directions with respect to said vertical plate by loosening said screw to slide the foot and second shank plate horizontally with respect to the first shank plate while the shaft of the screw remains engaged in said slot in the first shank plate, said apertured plate portion having a plurality of turned up toes at its forward end, said toes being spaced apart laterally to define two laterally spaced needle receiving slots.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,901,752 3/1933 Karle l12235 2,125,043 7/1938 Card 112-235 2,326,818 8/ 1943 Balzano 112235 2,892,429 6/1959 F ischbein 112235 3,170,426 2/ 1965 Micale 112-240 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRESSER FOOT ASSEMBLY FOR A SEWING MACHINE HAVING A VERTICAL PRESSER FOOT HOLDER SUPPORT BAR AND A VERTICAL NEEDLE SUPPORT BAR, BOTH BARS BEING SPACED LATERALLY APART A CERTAIN DISTANCE, COMPRISING A PRESSER FOOT HOLDER, SAID HOLDER HAVING A VERTICAL PLATE ATTACHABLE TO SAID HOLDER SUPPORT BAR, A CURVED SHANK SECTION INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM AND DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID VERTICAL PLATE, A FIRST HORIZONTAL SHANK PLAE INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID CURVED SHANK SECTION, SAID SHANK PLATE HAVING A CENTRALLY LOCATED SLOT DISPOSED IN A FORE-AND-AFT EXTENDING POSITION, A SECOND HORIZONTAL SHANK PLATE HAVING A THREADED HOLE THERIN AND A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING GROOVE IN ITS UPPER SIDE, A SCREW HAVING A HEAD BEARING ON TOP OF THE FIRST SHANK PLATE AND A THREADED SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND SEATED IN SAID HOLE IN THE SECOND SHANK PLATE TO HOLD THE TWO SHANK PLATES TOGETHER, A PRESSER FOOL HAVING AN APERTURED PLATE PORTION FOR RECEIVING SAID NEEDLE, APERTURED EARS UPSTANDING FROM OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID PLATE PORTION, A HORIZONAL PIN HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS ENGAGED IN SAID APERTURED EARS WITH A CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID PIN ENGAGED BETWEEN THE SHANK PLATES IN SAID GROOVE, WHEREBY THE PRESSER FOOT IS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY SAID FOOT HOLDER AND WHEREBY THE PRESSER FOOT IS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONABLE IN FOREAND-AFT DIRECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID VERTICAL PLATE BY LOOSENING SAID SCREW TO SLIDE THE FOOT AND SECOND SHANK PLATE HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST SHANK PLATE WHILE THE SHAFT OF THE SCREW REMAINS ENGAGED IN SAID SLOT IN THE FIRST SHANK PLATE. 